Sammying presses

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to continuous sammying presses, i.e., machines for squeezing moisture from hides, leather or the like. Ordinarily, such presses employ endless revolving belts made of porous material, such as felt, and have two straight runs, one above the other, between which the hide is sandwiched. The belts are moved in the same direction and at the same speed between cooperating press rolls that are pressed one against the other. In order to reduce pressure on the belts, which is brought about by the use of the normal single pair of press rolls, the invention provides that there shall be at least two pairs of sequentially arranged press rolls. This arrangement enables the pressure at any one point to be reduced but without, however, increasing the time of processing.

United States Patent 1151 3,638,562

Karaghiosoff 1 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [54] SAMMYING PRESSES 3,106,152 /1963Coffelt ..100/l54 X 3,172,313 3/1965 Fox ...100/l72 X [721 InventKmghmsm Gama My 3,199,440 8/1965 Banks ..100/1s3 [73] Assignee: PaoloBocciardo, Genoa, Italy Primary ExaminerPeter Feldman [22] Fled:Attorneylrving M. Weiner 21 A 1. N 874,340 1 PP [57] ABSTRACT Thisinvention relates to continuous sammying presses, i.e., ForelgnApplication Prmmy Dam machines for squeezing moisture from hides,leather or the Nov. 8, 1968 Italy ..7464 A/68 like. Ordinarily, suchpresses employ endless revolving belts Oct. 7, 1969 Italy ..7365 A/69made of porous material, such as felt, and have two straight runs, oneabove the other, between which the hide is sand- {521 US. Cl....100/118, 151, 100/ wiched- The belts are moved in h m dire ion andat the 511 1111. c1. ..B30b 9/24, 83% 5/04 same Speedbetween-cooperating press rolls that are Pressd 58 Field of Search..100/1 18, 1 19, 120, 151, 152, one against the other- In order toreduce pressure on the belts, loo/153, 1 54, 168470 172 which is broughtabout by the use of the normal single pair of press rolls, the inventionprovides that there shall be at least [56] References Cited two pairs ofsequentially arranged press rolls. This arrangement enables the pressureat any one point to be reduced but UNITED STATES PATENTS without,however, increasing the time of processing.

774,530 1 l/ 1904 Oppenheim 100/ l 18 5 Claims, 3 Drawing FiguresPATENTEU FEB 1 B72 mama UTI

E RV2 SAMMYING masses The present invention relates to a continuoussammying press, i.e., a machine for squeezing moisture out of hides,leather or the like, to make the moisture content equal, having twosuperposed endless revolving belts made of porous material pervious towater, more especially felt, the superimposed sides, moved in the samedirection and at the same speed, together with the hide laidtherebetween, being caused to run between cooperating rolls pressed oneagainst the other.

The known machines of this type have a single pair of press rolls, sothat it is necessary to exert a very strong pressure on the hide that ispassing through, if a sufficiently high speed of passage and aneconomically justifiable productive capacity are to be achieved.Consequently, very powerful and costly pressure arrangements have to beprovided for the pressing of the rolls together. Through the highbearing pressure of the press rolls, the felt belts running therebetweenare subjected to a very high wear, so that they wear out in acomparatively short time and have to be changed very often, which bringsabout very high operating costs. If, on the other hand, the bearingpressure of the press rolls is reduced for the purpose of obviatingthese disadvantages, the speed of passage of the hides has to be reducedaccordingly, whereby the productive capacity of the machine isundesirably reduced.

It is therefore an object of the invention to obviate or minimize thedisadvantages of the known continuous sammying presses, and to provide amachine in which, although a high speed of put-through of the hides isattained, with a consequently large productive capacity of the machines,the bearing pressure of the cooperating press rolls and consequentlyalso the wear on the felt belts is substantially reduced and thefrequent costly exchanges of these belts are avoided.

In accordance with the invention, this task is solved by arranging atleast two pairs of press rolls one after another in the direction ofpassage of the hides, etc., through the machine. This enables thebearing pressure between the press rolls of the individual successivepairs of press rolls to be substantially smaller than in the case of theknown machines having a single pair of rolls. However, since the hide,upon its passage through the successive pairs of press rolls, issqueezed out more than once, i.e., repeatedly, even with a very highspeed of passage of the hides, the liquid can be squeezed out of theselatter to the requisite degree.

The invention is thus based on the realization that, to squeeze theliquid out of the hide, even a comparatively low amount of pressureapplied is sufficient if the hide is subjected to this pressure for afairly long time.

in the case of a machine in accordance with the invention, however, thisexertion of pressure lasting for a fairly long time does not-as in thecase of the known machines-need to be achieved with a single pair ofpress rolls and a reduction in the speed of through-put. On thecontrary, in accordance with the invention, the entire pressing timenecessary with a reduced amount of pressure applied, is distributedamong two or more successive pairs of press rolls. Consequently, thehide that is to be squeezed out can be passed through the machine at ahigh speed. The machine of the invention consequently has a largeproductive capacity, i.e., it makes it possible to squeeze out a largenumber of hides per unit of time. At the same time, the felt belts-as aresult of the reduced bearing pressure of the press rolls-are subject toconsiderably less wear, so that their life is substantially extended.

Advantageously, the bearing pressure of the earlier pair or pairs ofpress rolls in the direction of travel of the hide may be less than thatof the later pair or pairs of press rolls. Thus, in particular, thebearing pressure of the various pairs of press rolls may increaseprogressively in the direction of travel from pair to pair. in this way,the amount of pressure applied by the individual successive pairs ofpress rolls is arranged to obtain a progressive squeezing of themoisture out of the hide so that on the one hand a better, i.e., a moreintense and more uniform squeezing out of the hide, and on the otherhand a greater speed of passage, can be achieved.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the individualsuccessive pairs of press rolls, preferably together with the associatedrotary drives and pressure mechanisms, are mounted on frames which areseparate and independent one from another. Mounted on the frames of thepairs of press rolls arranged at the intake end and at the discharge endof the machine are preferably also the corresponding guide and tensionrolls of the two felt belts. Both the distance between the individualsuccessive pairs of rolls can be varied by adjusting the position of thecorresponding frames, and the number of pairs of press rolls can beincreased or decreased, as desired. The through-run machine oftheinvention can consequently also subsequently be adapted torequirements with simple constructional means and in a very short time.

This possibility of modification, and the adaptability of the machine asa result thereof, may, in accordance with a further feature of theinvention, additionally be enhanced by driving each press roll by anassociated hydraulic motor, which is preferably arranged in the regionof a head end of the associated press roll and is coupled with thislatter directly or via a reduction gear.

In accordance with a further advantageous feature of the invention,associated witH each pair of press rolls is a separate independenthydraulic system for the rotary drive of the press rolls. in thisconnection, preferably the two hydraulic motors of each pair of pressrolls are connected in series in the circuit of the pump of theassociated hydraulic system. By this means, with a completelysynchronous running, i.e., the same rotational speed of the twocooperating press rolls, can be obtained with more certainty.

The one press roll of each pair of press rolls is, in known manner,mounted so as to be adjustable to and from its associated counterrollerand pressed against this latter with the necessary amount of pressure.The adjustable press roll may be pivoted in bearing members which aredisplaceable in sliding guides. This arrangement, however, has thedisadvantage that it calls for a very precise machining of the slidingguides for the displaceable bearing members. Nevertheless, the danger ofa canting of the bearing members cannot be precluded with sufficientcertainty. In accordance with the invention, remedial measures may betaken by mounting the adjustable press roll of each pair of rolls on arocking lever or levers.

The press rolls of each pair may be pressed together in known manner byhydraulic pressure cylinders. in this case, in accordance with theinvention, provision is made for the fact that associated with each pairof press rolls is a separate independent hydraulic system for theactuation of the corresponding pressure cylinders. By this means, on theone hand the modification of the spacing and/or of the number of pairsof press rolls is facilitated and on the other hand the setting ofdifferent amounts of pressure applied of the individual pairs of pressrolls is made possible.

In accordance with another advantageous feature of the invention, thehydraulic system associated with the pressure cylinders, of each pair ofpress rolls has a hydropneumatic pressure reservoir, which is connectedas directly as possible, and along the shortest possible path, to thepressure cylinders. This hydropneumatic pressure reservoir effects aspringing of the adjustable press roll to and from its counterroll,i.e., it makes possible small cushioned movements of the adjustablepress roll in relation to its counterroll even when the associatedhydraulic pressure cylinders are under pressure and their connection tothe remaining hydraulic system is interrupted.

The hydropneumatic pressure reservoir makes possible. by this means, anautomatic adaptation of the machine of the invention to the unavoidabledifferences in thickness of the individual hides or of different areasof a hide. Moreover, the hydropneumatic pressure reservoir compensatesfor the pressure losses occurring due to a relatively long pressuretransfer of the hydraulic cylinders and the pressure fluctuationsarising upon temperature changes, and thereby ensures a substantiallyconstant bearing pressure of the press rolls, i.e., a uniform squeezingout of the hides that are passing through.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings which show one embodimentthereof by way of example, and in which:

P10. 1 shows a machine in accordance with the invention, in verticallongitudinal section,

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the machine along the line ll1l of FIG.1, and

FIG. 3 shows the two hydraulic systems associated with a pair of pressrolls.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a continuous sammyingpress for squeezing liquids out of hides, leather or the like, which hastwo endless, revolving, substantially horizontal belts, 1, 2, made offelt or another porous material which is pervious to water. The two feltbelts 1, 2 are respectively guided around upper guide rolls 101, 201,301, 401 and lower guide rolls 102, 202, 302, 402 so that the lowerstraight run of the upper belt is superposed over the upper straight runof the lower belt, said two straight runs being moved in the samedirection at the same speed, the direction of travel being indicated bythe arrow. The intake end of the straight run of the lower belt 2 islonger than that of the upper felt belt 1 and forms a free andapproximately horizontal surface 3 upon which the hides L to be pressedcan be laid.

The two superimposed straight runs of the belts 1, 2, run between pairsof sequentially arranged cooperating press rolls 11-21, 12-22, 13-23.Each pair of press rolls 11-21, 12-22 and 13-23, is mounted on aseparate independent frame F1, F2, F3, respectively, which, consideredin the direction of passage A1, has approximately the shape of arectangular frame, as is more especially evident from FIG. 2. The toproll 11, 12, 13, of each pair is mounted in pivot bearings 4, which aresecured to the associated frame F1, or F2, F3. The bottom roll 21, 22,23, of each pair is, on the other hand, carried by two rocking levers 5,which are pivotally mounted on the associated frame F1, F2, F3, about ahorizontal pivot 105 extending transversely to the direction of hidetravel. The guide rolls 101, 201 or 102, 202, of the two belts l, 2 atthe intake end of the machine are mounted in the frame F1 of the firstpair of press rolls 11, 21. The guide rolls 101 and 102 are in the formof tension rollers and are mounted on sliding carriages, one of which isseen at 8 in FIG. 1, which are shiftable and securable in thelongitudinal direction of the machine in corresponding sliding guides ofthe frame F1. The guide rolls 301, 401 or 302, 402 of the two belts l, 2at the discharge end of the machine are mounted in the frame F3 of thefinal pair of press rolls 13, 23.

The lower press rolls 21, 22, 23 are pressed against the associated toppress rolls 11, 12, 13 with the superimposed straight runs of the twofelt belts 1, 2 interposed between the pairs. To this end, the tworocking levers 5, which carry each bottom press roll 21, or 22, 23, caneach be urged upwardly by the piston rod 206 of one hydraulic pressurecylinder 6 fastened to the corresponding frame F1, or F2, F3.

All the press rolls ll, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 are positively driven in thedirection of travel A1 of the superimposed sides of the two felt beltsl, 2. For the rotary drive, both the top roll 1 1, or 12, 13, and thebottom roll 21, or 22, 23 of each pair is provided with its ownhydraulic motor 14 or 24, which is arranged on a head side of theassociated press roll and is coupled with this latter either directly orvia a reduction gear, as is represented more especially in FIGS. 2 and 3for the pair of press rolls 11, 21. The hydraulic motor 14 of the toppress roll 11, or 12, 13 is fastened on the outside of a bearing 4 ofthe associated top roll to this bearing or to the upper traverse of thecorresponding frame F1, or F2, F3. The hydraulic motor 24 of the bottompress roll 21, or 22, 23 is fastened on the same side of the machineexternally to the corresponding rocking lever of the associated bottomroll and swingable together with this rocking lever 5.

The press rolls 11-21, 12-22, 13-23, driven at the same peripheral speedby the associated hydraulic motors 14, 24 and pressed one against theother by the hydraulic pressure cylinders 6, entrain the upper and lowerstraight runs of the belts running between the top rolls ll, 12, 13 andthe bottom rolls 21, 22, 23, in the direction of travel A1 and therebybring about the rotary motion of the two belts 1, 2. It is, of course,also possible to drive at least one of the guide rolls 101, 201, 301,401 or 102, 202, 302, 402 of each belt.

Associated with each pair of press rolls 11-21, 12-22, 13-23 are twohydraulic systems which are separate and independent from each other, asis more especially represented in FIG. 3 for the pair of press rolls12-22. One hydraulic system serves for the drive of two hydraulic motors14, 24 and has a pump PV having a variable delivery, the pressure lineof which is connected via a safety and overpressure valve RV1 to the oiltank and via a pilot valve V1 to the two hydraulic motors 14, 24 of theassociated pair of press rolls 12, 22. The two hydraulic motors 14, 24are connected in series in the hydraulic circuit of the pump PV. Thehydraulic motor 24 of the adjustable bottom press roll 22 is connectedby flexible lines 9, 10 on the one hand to the hydraulic motor 14 of thestationarily mounted top press roll 12 and on the other hand to thehydraulic circuit of the pump PV. The reflux of this hydraulic circuitcan be effected via the pilot valve V] which is a mu]- tiway valve.

The other hydraulic system associated with each pair of press rollsserves for the actuation of the hydraulic pressure cylinders 6 and has apump PF having a constant delivery, the pressure line of which isconnected on the one hand via a safety and overpressure valve RV2 to theoil tank and on the other hand via a control valve V2 to the twopressure cylinders 6. The valve V2 may be in the form of a multiwayvalve having three alternative positions. In one position it connectsthe conveyor line of the pump PF to the pressure cylinders 6, while in asecond position it interrupts the connection of the pressure cylinders 6both to the pump PF and to the reflux to the oil tank or reservoir. 1nthe third position, the valve V2 connects the pressure cylinders 6 tothe oil tank. Connected to the outlet side of the valve V2 is ahydropneumatic pressure reservoir 15, which communicates directly withboth pressure cylinders 6. This hydropneumatic pressure reservoir 15consists of a pressure tank which is subdivided by a diaphragm 115, orby a piston, into an upper chamber 215 filled with gas or air and alower chamber 315 which is filled with oil and which is connected to thepressure chambers of the pressure cylinders 6 beneath the pistons 106.

The hydraulic systems associated with the individual pairs of pressrolls 11-21, 12-22, 13-23 are independent of each other, i.e., each pairof press rolls has its own pump PV for the rotary drive of the pressrolls via the hydraulic motors 14, 24 and its own further pump PF forpressing the bottom roll against the top roll via the hydraulic pressurecylinders 6. Consequently, the bearing pressure of the press rolls11-21, or 12-22, 13-23 for each pair of press rolls can be regulated andset separately. More especially the bearing pressure of the press rollsof the first pair of press rolls 11-21 can be smaller than that of thepress rolls of the following pairs 12-22, 13-23 and can also increaseprogressively in the direction of travel A1 from pair to pair of thepress rolls.

The hide L that is to be squeezed out is spread out on the loadingsurface 3 formed by the lower belt 2 at the intake end of the machineand is introduced between the superimposed straight runs of the belts 1,2. The hide L subsequently runs, together with the belts 1, 2 coveringit on both sides, in the direction of the arrow A] between the pressrolls of the successive pairs 11-21, 12-22, 13-23 and in so doing,moisture is squeezed out of it. The squeezing pressure exerted by eachindividual pair of press rolls can be comparatively weak, while therotary speed of the belts 1, 2 and consequently also the productivecapacity of the machine can be very high.

Nevertheless, the requisite squeezing of the moisture out of the hide Lis achieved, since this latter is squeezed out more than once, i.e.,repeatedly, in one passage through the machine and is subjected to thesqueezing pressure altogether for a fairly long time. At the same time,the belts 1, 2 are not exposed to any damaging excessively high pressureand consequently also not to any high wear.

During the passage of the hide L through each pairs of press rolls ll2l,or 12-22, 13-23, the associated hydropneumatic pressure reservoir 15connected to the hydraulic pressure cylinders 6 makes possible smallcushioned lowering motions of the cylinder pistons 106 and consequentlyof the bottom press roll 21, or 22, 23, braced thereon, even when theconnection between the cylinders 6 acted upon by pressure and the pumpPF, or the reflux to the oil tank is interrupted (central position ofthe valve V2). By this means, individual hides having areas of differentthickness, or separate hides of different thicknesses can be passedthrough the machine continuously with substantially similar bearingpressures.

Above the free loading surface 3 formed by the lower belt 2 at theintake end of the machine there may be arranged a hide flattening orwidening roll 16, which is provided with helical ribs or the likedirected outwardly from the center of the roll in opposite directions.This flattening or widening roll 16 is driven in a direction of rotationindicated by arrow A2 different from the direction of travel Al of thesuperimposed straight runs of the belts l, 2 and this roll may, forexample, be mounted so as to be movable up and down on the frame Fl ofthe first pair of press rolls with the aid of rocking levers 17. Theroll l6 can consequently be brought into a raised position of rest,represented in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1, in which it permits theintroduction of the hide L, between the belts l, 2 under the guide andtension roller 10] of the upper belt 1. As soon as the belts l, 2 graspthe forward end of the hide L and entrain this latter in the directionof travel Al, the roll 16 is lowered into the active position,represented by solid lines in FIG. I, in which it comes into contactwith the hide L and spreads this latter out, or smooths out folds priorto its entry between the belts l, 2.

The invention is, of course, not restricted to the embodimentrepresented and described above, by way of example, but may be modifiedmore especially as regards specific constructional details, withoutdeparting from its scope as defined by the appended claims.

1. A continuous sammying press for squeezing moisture from hides,leather, or the like, comprising:

a first frame located at an inlet end of said press;

a plurality of upper and lower intake end guide rolls rotatably mountedin said first frame;

at least one pair of first press rolls, an upper roll of said first pairbeing injuxtaposition to a lower roll of said first pair, and rotatablymounted in said first frame;

a second frame located at an outlet end of said press;

a plurality of upper and lower outlets and guide rolls rotatably mountedin said second frame;

at least one pair of second press rolls, an upper roll of said secondpair being in juxtaposition to a lower roll of said second pair, androtatably mounted in said second frame;

at least one third frame disposed between said first and second frames;

at least one pair of third press rolls, an upper roll of said third pairbeing in juxtaposition to a lower roll of said third pair, and rotatablymounted in said third frame;

a first endless belt of porous material impervious to water mountedaround said upper intake end guide rolls, said upper outlet end guiderolls and said upper rolls of said first, second and third pair of pressrolls; and

a second endless belt of porous material pervious to water mountedaround said lower intake guide rolls, said lower outlet end guide rollsand said lower rolls of said first, second, and third pair of pressrolls, having a surface in juxtaposition to a surface of said firstendless belt.

2. A continuous sammying press substantially as set forth in claim 1,further characterized in that:

a separate hydraulic motor is adapted to drive each roll of said first,second and third pair of press rolls; and

each pair of said press rolls have an independent hydraulic systemsupplying working fluid to its associated hydraulic motors.

3, A continuous sammying press for squeezing moisture from hides,leather, or the like, comprising:

at least two pair of rotatably mounted press rolls, each of said pair ofpress rolls having an upper roll disposed in juxtaposition above a lowerroll;

a first endless belt of porous material pervious to water mounted aroundsaid upper rolls ofsaid pair of press rolls;

a second endless belt of porous material pervious to water mountedaround said lower rolls of said pair of press rolls, having a surface injuxtaposition to a surface of said first endless belt;

an hydraulic motor operatively associated with each of said upper andlower press rolls;

means to drive said first and second endless belts in oppositerotational directions, and at the same speed;

a separate hydraulic system operatively associated with each of saidpair of press rolls to supply working fluid to both its associated saidmotors;

an hydraulic pump operatively associated with each of said separatehydraulic systems; and

said hydraulic motors of each of said upper and lower press rolls areconnected in series with said pump in its associated hydraulic system.

4. A continuous sammying press for squeezing moisture from hides,leather, or the like, comprising:

at least two pair of rotatably mounted press rolls. each of said pair ofpress rolls having an upper roll disposed in juxtaposition above a lowerroll;

said lower rolls adapted to move upwardly to exert a force on said upperrolls;

a first endless belt of porous material pervious to water mounted aroundsaid upper rolls of said press rolls;

a second endless belt of porous material pervious to water mountedaround said lower rolls of said pair of press rolls, having a surface injuxtaposition to a surface of said first endless belt;

an hydraulic motor operatively associated with each of said upper andlower rolls;

means to drive said first and second endless belts in oppositerotational directions, and at the same speed;

a separate first hydraulic system operatively associated with each ofsaid pair of press rolls to supply working fluid to both its associatedsaid motors;

said hydraulic motors of each of said upper and lower press rolls beingconnected in series with said pump in its associated first hydraulicsystem;

at least two pressure cylinders each operatively associated with one ofsaid lower rolls to move said lower roll upwardly against one of saidupper rolls to exert a force thereon;

a separate independent second hydraulic system operatively associatedwith each of said pressure cylinders; and

an hydropneumatic pressure reservoir operatively connected to saidpressure cylinders.

5. A continuous sammying press for squeezing moisture from hides,leather, or the like, comprising:

at least two pair of rotatably mounted press rolls, each of said pair ofpress rolls having an upper roll disposed in juxtaposition above a lowerroll;

a first endless belt of porous material pervious to water mounted aroundsaid upper rolls ofsaid pair of press rolls;

a second endless belt of porous material pervious to water mountedaround said lower rolls of said pair of press rolls, having a surface injuxtaposition to a surface of said first endless belt;

said second endless belt extending beyond said first endless belt at aninlet end of said press forming a free, substantially horizontal loadingsurface to receive material to be processed; and

a rotatably mounted flattening roll having helical ribs, adapted forgenerally vertical adjustment to allow it to be lowered to engagematerial to be processed, or raised to a position of rest permitting theintroduction of said material directly between said first and secondbelts, disposed above said loading surface, and driven in a direction ofrotation opposing to the direction of travel of material to be processedbetween said first and second belts.

1. A continuous sammying press for squeezing moisture from hides,leather, or the like, comprising: a first frame located at an inlet endof said press; a plurality of upper and lower intake end guide rollsrotatably mounted in said first frame; at least one pair of first pressrolls, an upper roll of said first pair being in juxtaposition to alower roll of said first pair, and rotatably mounted in said firstframe; a second frame located at an outlet end of said press; aplurality of upper and lower outlets and guide rolls rotatably mountedin said second frame; at least one pair of second press rolls, an upperroll of said second pair being in juxtaposition to a lower roll of saidsecond pair, and rotatably mounted in said second frame; at least onethird frame disposed between said first and second frames; at least onepair of third press rolls, an upper roll of said third pair being injuxtaposition to a lower roll of said third pair, and rotatably mountedin said third frame; a first endless belt of porous material imperviousto water mounted around said upper intake end guide rolls, said upperoutlet end guide rolls and said upper rolls of said first, second andthird pair of press rolls; and a second endless belt of porous materialpervious to water mounted around said lower intake guide rolls, saidlower outlet end guide rolls and said lower rolls of said first, second,and third pair of press rolls, having a surface in juxtaposition to asurface of said first endless belt.
 2. A continuous sammying presssubstantially as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that: aseparate hydraulic motor is adapted to drive each roll of said first,second and third pair of press rolls; and each pair of said press rollshave an independent hydraulic system supplying working fluid to itsassociated hydraulic motors.
 3. A continuous sammying press forsqueezing moisture from hides, leather, or the like, comprising: atleast two pair of rotatably mounted press rolls, each of said pair ofpress rolls having an upper roll disposed in juxtaposition above a lowerroll; a first endless belt of porous material pervious to water mountedaround said upper rolls of said pair of press rolls; a second endlessbelt of porous material pervious to water mounted around said lowerrolls of said pair of press rolls, having a surface in juxtaposition toa surface of said first endless belt; an hydraulic motor operativelyassociated with each of said upper and lower press rolls; means to drivesaid first and second endless belts in opposite rotational directions,and at the same speed; a separate hydraulic system operativelyassociated with each of said pair of press rolls to supply working fluidto both its associated said motors; an hydraulic pump operatiVelyassociated with each of said separate hydraulic systems; and saidhydraulic motors of each of said upper and lower press rolls areconnected in series with said pump in its associated hydraulic system.4. A continuous sammying press for squeezing moisture from hides,leather, or the like, comprising: at least two pair of rotatably mountedpress rolls, each of said pair of press rolls having an upper rolldisposed in juxtaposition above a lower roll; said lower rolls adaptedto move upwardly to exert a force on said upper rolls; a first endlessbelt of porous material pervious to water mounted around said upperrolls of said press rolls; a second endless belt of porous materialpervious to water mounted around said lower rolls of said pair of pressrolls, having a surface in juxtaposition to a surface of said firstendless belt; an hydraulic motor operatively associated with each ofsaid upper and lower rolls; means to drive said first and second endlessbelts in opposite rotational directions, and at the same speed; aseparate first hydraulic system operatively associated with each of saidpair of press rolls to supply working fluid to both its associated saidmotors; said hydraulic motors of each of said upper and lower pressrolls being connected in series with said pump in its associated firsthydraulic system; at least two pressure cylinders each operativelyassociated with one of said lower rolls to move said lower roll upwardlyagainst one of said upper rolls to exert a force thereon; a separateindependent second hydraulic system operatively associated with each ofsaid pressure cylinders; and an hydropneumatic pressure reservoiroperatively connected to said pressure cylinders.
 5. A continuoussammying press for squeezing moisture from hides, leather, or the like,comprising: at least two pair of rotatably mounted press rolls, each ofsaid pair of press rolls having an upper roll disposed in juxtapositionabove a lower roll; a first endless belt of porous material pervious towater mounted around said upper rolls of said pair of press rolls; asecond endless belt of porous material pervious to water mounted aroundsaid lower rolls of said pair of press rolls, having a surface injuxtaposition to a surface of said first endless belt; said secondendless belt extending beyond said first endless belt at an inlet end ofsaid press forming a free, substantially horizontal loading surface toreceive material to be processed; and a rotatably mounted flatteningroll having helical ribs, adapted for generally vertical adjustment toallow it to be lowered to engage material to be processed, or raised toa position of rest permitting the introduction of said material directlybetween said first and second belts, disposed above said loadingsurface, and driven in a direction of rotation opposing to the directionof travel of material to be processed between said first and secondbelts.